| 1 | Mar 16, 2010 4:10 PM | Thank you! |
| 2 | Mar 16, 2010 4:17 PM | The communication about assignments and due dates is horrible. Especially for 6th graders who are still acclimating to having so many classes and teachers. There needs to be daily contact with the parents explaining what needs to happen. Asking immature students to keep track of life in a planner is just too much to ask of them. Teacher rarely update their websites, so there are no resources for parents to assist in keeping the students on track.
School needs more elective choices. The cooking with Mrs. Bonine is awesome, but there is simply not enough classes offerred for the students to get in to. More choices so students can be exposed to a variety of classes would be great. |
| 3 | Mar 16, 2010 4:25 PM | One of the things that I have a problem with and it's a personal belief. That belief is that the students should show the teachers respect and one of those ways of showing respect is Mr. or Mrs. (Ms.). I have a hard time when my son tells me Dave this or Kendra that. Just a personal belief. |
| 4 | Mar 16, 2010 4:35 PM | in the high school there is far too much homework requiring internet/computer use during school and after school. the child is constantly facing a computer screen - devoid of meaning/life. constant computer use takes away from tangible physical interaction, play, warmth, human contact, communication between real people, family members.... some internet use is valid and reasonable but it seems every class is overly dependent upon the use of a computer. how does one investigate real life on his/her own - touching - seeing, hearing, tasting, connecting... experiencing... when he or she is on the computer? |
| 5 | Mar 16, 2010 4:47 PM | SCS makes it too hard to participate in extracurricular activities (like sports). While SCS pays lip service to working with SMS, it doesn't work with SCS having longer hours and letting the child out early. The kids miss too much of the classes and the teachers don't let them make up the time or missed work. SCS will need to improve that for the high school grades. |
| 6 | Mar 16, 2010 4:55 PM | I am impressed and excited about the future. I always say that I am responsible for my childs education and the schools and teachers I allow in my childs life are my tools. I have excellent tools and could not be more supportive. My kids love this school, it suits them perfectly right now. Michelle Hefley |
| 7 | Mar 16, 2010 5:04 PM | 2 of my children were flunking math. There are no provisions for extra work to bring the grades up. I went in repeatedly to try to find a solution. Finally we gave up and began tutoring them at home. |
| 8 | Mar 16, 2010 5:13 PM | First trimester I called a special meeting with the teachers and we made a plan to help my daughter more successful (and less social) in class. One teacher in particular called again this trimester and stated she was having the same problem and it did not seem that he had followed through with our plan. I also think a written rubric for each project would be good. My student does not seem to know what steps need to be done in order to get to the end result. A checklist or some other written guideline would be helpful. It would also show the parents where they were in the project and what needs to be done still. I feel like we are in the dark yet wanting to help our student be successful. |
| 9 | Mar 16, 2010 5:17 PM | I like everything about the school except for the fact that I never know AHEAD OF TIME when there are bussing changes on my child's route.
My child complains that the food in the student store is pretty bad, mostly junky. I think you should consider providing healthy alternatives. In addition, on the subject of the student store, I think that you should allow students to work there as long as they are willing and able to make correct change when customers buy something. Half the time my child buys something in the store, he/she gets shortchanged or ripped off. If that happened to me at any establishment in town, you know the clerk would be held accountable or get fired. Why not teach your student store "employees" that if they want to work there, they have to follow the same rules as any store clerk. |
| 10 | Mar 16, 2010 6:46 PM | Accurate mid-term grade status updates seem difficult to get. Not sure the PASS system for checking grades really works/fits the Charter School's project-based style. The recent mid-term report/update that was mailed was AWESOME in helping me hold my child responsible for their grades. Thank you. |
| 11 | Mar 16, 2010 7:40 PM | Thank you for leaving English as the first pick since White/Cau is now last. My oldest has commented that the school is way worse now. He wants to leave but dad will not let him. He said he was warned by teachers before letters went to parents. He says he spoke to his teacher about some of his issues. He felt listen to and that things improved. I was not impressed that high school kids were walking around in slippers with coffee cups. There are girls with black hair wearing what look like very tight black jeans and non compliant shirts. There is also a high school boy with excessively baggy pants with his underwear showing. I am not sure I agree w/ the student court set up though it is a good philosophy and gives the kids an idea of how the judicial system works and doesn't work. It is not perfect there either. Thank you again for your time and patience in that matter. |
| 12 | Mar 16, 2010 8:49 PM | I do feel there is some teachers who do not treat all students equal. some teachers seem to be "harder" or a little more negative towards some students. |
| 13 | Mar 16, 2010 10:47 PM | My son likes attending scs, and is looking forward to a new trimester. He really enjoys the electives, even the ones he got but did not choose. |
| 14 | Mar 16, 2010 11:08 PM | I really like the direction the high school is going.. My daughter has really grown academically since September. I do have concerns about the amount of class load, a lot of late nights doing homework lately, but all in all, a very positive experience.. I love the focus the teachers put on college and career... Special shout out to Julie and Jennifer! |
| 15 | Mar 17, 2010 1:25 AM | I enjoy the charterschool teaching style and look forward to my kids going to charter high. |
| 16 | Mar 17, 2010 2:31 AM | My child has complained often about the science program consisting mainly of paperwork and also feels the classroom behaviors are out of control and not conducive to learning. |
| 17 | Mar 17, 2010 7:09 AM | Most communication selections were based on friendliness of office staff as the "first person" first impression you see as you walk into the school. Also, we have had two or three instances with Miss. Michael's over the top form of disipline. (pounding her fists on the desk, "lectures" of negative behaviors w/out a balance of positives and encouragement etc.) I have also noticed her showing disrespect for other teachers in the presence of students. I thought perhaps she was having personal strugglings in her own life becuase of the frequency of these instances and the negativity at our very first meeting, as a first time family to the school. Over all our family is pleased with SCS. |
| 18 | Mar 17, 2010 3:27 PM | I am very happy with our SCS experience! |
| 19 | Mar 17, 2010 4:49 PM | The School is Awsome and benifiting my child tremendously. Thank you |
| 20 | Mar 17, 2010 7:45 PM | need to really push the reading/writing/english and assign more homework. |
| 21 | Mar 17, 2010 8:32 PM | I am thrilled with the education my children have received at the charter school, both academically and socially. You instill in them a sense of ownership and leadership while using firm yet friendly discipline. You encourage the growth of self-esteem, which is critical at middle school age. |
| 22 | Mar 18, 2010 2:40 AM | I would like more information on the website. For example, I tried to look up the Charter School Plays at the Panida, and there was nothing listed on the website. I would like the calendar to be kept more up to date with more detailed information. |
| 23 | Mar 18, 2010 2:56 AM | Would love to see a monthly newsletter with reminders of important dates, field trips and events. |
| 24 | Mar 18, 2010 5:03 PM | Would love more communication with the teachers and school. Updated website of all events in advance.--Would help get more parents and families involved and let community know what's going on. Hopefully would help attract students in the future. For parents trying to be pro-active with kids education a syllabace or deadlines for each class would be helpful to keep students on track-available on teachers' website. Information sent home with students most of the time do not make it in the hands of the parents. |
| 25 | Mar 18, 2010 10:17 PM | I don't know if there is any improvement to this year, but it would be better to do the entry exam in a class room quietly to be able to get accurate attention to testing by the incoming students. With parents and siblings talking and snacking during testing, it is hard to really get the right outcome. A good start is the most important thing in a new school. |
| 26 | Mar 18, 2010 11:33 PM | i'm very disappointed that scs students aren't notified about sports happening at sms. my dau and her friends didn't hear about basketball until too late this winter and i even called the school and talked to woman in office and told her about track meeting this afternoon and to please notifiy all girls, and my dau didn't hear anything about it today. also there was no notification of dance troups at sms this winter. |
| 27 | Mar 20, 2010 4:34 PM | Communication between the school and the parents is improving as the year goes on. Teacher web pages are updated more frequently. I would like more frequent e-mail updates about upcoming events and activities. I hear about things from other parents (after the fact). |
| 28 | Mar 22, 2010 4:33 PM | Positive experiences at SCS for my child:
1. Electives, especially photography--and the positive interaction between student and teacher in this course
2. Science: teacher has encouraged my child to work beyond the required assignments, and has provided ways in which to do this.
3. PE: my child has enjoyed many of the activities in this class.
Negatives at SCS:
1. Math: my child has asked for help from teacher, but teacher asks my child to seek help from other students. Generally speaking, the teacher should be the one providing help when help is asked for, and he should not be directing the student to get help from others. The students are not the experts on the subject--the teacher is (or should be).
2. Teachers, especially advocacy teachers, should be available to their students and take an interest in them. My child has noted several instances in which she tried to have a friendly discussion/tell her advo teacher about something, only to be ignored when another teacher approached to talk with her advo teacher. This has made her feel like she really doesn't matter to her teachers. I don't think this is the way this school should be.
3. Teacher absences: several times when a teacher has been absent, no substitute has been provided, and no meaningful activity has been provided.
4. Teacher not available during class/leaves class for extended periods of time: my understanding is that when class is in session, teachers are to be with their students in the classroom. I don't like to hear that the teacher leaves and is unavailable. I don't like to hear that students get into trouble when the teacher is not there.
5. I would really like to feel that student success, rigorous academics, great student-teacher and student-student relationships are the focus of this school. I hope that you will address these areas of concern. |
| 29 | Mar 23, 2010 5:52 PM | Unfortunately the questions pertain to all the teachers/classes as a whole and not particular ones. I have excellent communication with some and zero with others. Suggestion: Friday emails go out for the next weeks plans (i.e.dress down days, pi day, homework, etc.). Not everyone uses email, but many do. The flyers never seem to make it home. I would have happily contributed had I any ides of the upcoming events.
Many of the projects are not outlined and sent to parents. Projects become last minute redos after they get a bad grade. If my child is struggling in a class, I am not made aware unless I actually go into the class and ask how things are going. I've made it very clear that I can be called or emailed and would be happy to tutor my child if struggling. I do not get these up dates until I see the report card. The teachers would have an easier time of things if the parents were involved in tutoring when necessary. Why they do not take advantage of a willing parent makes no sense.
Teachers should agree on how they will be addressed. I have heard of teachers not just correcting, but reprimanding kids for not addressing with Miss/Mrs./Mr. when most have agreed to go by first name. I'm an adult and have a hard time remembering who likes to be called what.
Core classes need to be taught by your strongest teachers. Having said this, MISS Valerie is not the best SCS can do. The cooking class is another problem area. Please visit the SHS Home Ec room. It is immaculate. The cooking area at SCS is a veritable petri dish. It should be cleaned spotlessly everyday, like a restaurant. I question a teacher that could conduct a class in that room and leave it that way.
With the economic situation as it is, I strongly suggest that kids be given the option of a sweater or sweatshirt (say in navy blue) without a school logo. $15 is not much for a sweatshirt, but you have students who's parents are facing incredibly hard times. No child should be forced to be cold because they can't afford the school sweatshirt. Also, Secret Santa should be done away with altogether. Many of my child's friend bemoaned that they needed to find a present for a fellow student when they themselves were not going to have a Christmas. One class had a max. of $15 for the gift. There is no joy in buying a $15 gift and receiving a $1 gift. An adult can understand, but these are kids. Kids also do not want the embarrassment of having to explain their financial situation to a teacher.
Can a minimum standard of healthiness be set for foods purchased at SCS? Top Ramen should not be served to children. SCS might make more profit from certain prepackaged foods, but that should not be the goal of the school.
SCS is a sweet little school. The environment is kind and attentive. The teachers intentions are honorable. But there is always room for improvement. Except for the kitchen, the school is clean. The staff is friendly. The school seems to have a reputation as a last stop for many of those that don't fit in elsewhere. It should be known as a school that offers opportunities that can't be found elsewhere. You all are doing a great job. |
| 30 | Mar 24, 2010 10:49 PM | A wonderful school year experience that has challenged and grown Victoria. Thank you.
One issue is that I really would like to see an increased and better effort to make sure gaming is not going on in class. |
| 31 | Apr 15, 2010 2:30 PM | We are new to SCS this year. I would like to be more involved at the school as a parent and not sure how to make that happen. When I asked at the front desk if there was volunteer work for parents was told...not really!? Is there a "PTA" type organization at the school? Overall I have to say that our first impressions this year have been positive and we are looking forward to seeing how the High School unfolds next year. Thank you for all your hard work and obvious care for your students. |